Improvement in car-couplings



G. S. BISHOP.

Car Coupling.

No. 37,805. Patented Mar. 3, 1863.

.PETES. PHDTO-LITHOGR-APHER, WASHINGTON C- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE S. BISHOP, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 37,805, dated March 3, 1863.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE S. BISHOP, of the city and county of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and Improved Mode of Gouplin g Railroad- Gars; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists in the peculiar construction of my coupling-latch, (in lieu of the common bolt and analagous devices,) in combination with the link to connect two cars, and in the construction of the foot, spur, stirrup, and step attached to and operating in connection with the latch aforesaid.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

I construct my latch as shown at A, Figure 1, cut out of a wide fiat bar of wrought-iron, which can be easily and with great facility made by a die suitably constructed to give it the form and proportion shown in the drawings. The bumper can be made of cast iron, in the usual form, but adapted to receive the latch aforesaid. The bumper M, Fig. 2, is a side view, with the latch in position when coupled, resting on the link A A, holding it in position to meet the car to be coupled, the short and wide arm B of the latch being through the link and resting at the top of slot P, the leg L being in the recess B B,back of the chamber N, into which the leg L es capes out of the way ofthe link A A in coupling. Fig. 3 is a side view of the bumper with the latch A in position for coupling, with the foot E in the stirrup F, with the link A A e11- tering the bumper, which, on entering, will strike the leg L, throwing the foot E out of its stirrup F, when the latch A will fall and secure the coupling of the cars. Fig. 4 is a top view of the bumper, with the link A A in posltion. When coupled, the long mortise O is the aperture in and through which the latch A works. Fig. 5 is a side view of the bumper, with the latch A raised, with the spur D restmg in the step K, in which position it remains when the coupling of cars is not desired.

There may be various forms given to the latch, and it can be made heavier or lighter, if desirable but, as the strain or draft is upon the edge of the latch, it possesses more strength and will admit of being constructed of comparatively light material.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The construction of the latch or coupler A with its foot E, spur D, and wide arm B, in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. The stirrup F and step K, in combination with the latch A, with its foot E and spur D, as and for the purpose herein described.

GEORGE S. BISHOP. Witnesses:

D. ROWLAND, Jos. PEoK. 

